Billed as the chamber’s premier networking opportunity, the early evening event drew a crowd of approximately 300 chamber members and their guests, including several from Western. Bardo encouraged participants to use the university’s resources through the College of Business, Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology, and graduate programs in Asheville.  He noted that the College of Business has a new dean who is well-known among financial analysts, pointed out that the university is currently working with clients on four patents and predicted that Western will grow to a population of 20,000 students over the next 15 years. 

Patsy Miller, director of Western’s Programs in Asheville, said the event was a great way to showcase the university in an informal setting.  “People told me that they really enjoyed hearing about Western and its work with business,” Miller said. “They were pleased to find out how many graduate programs are offered by Western and to have them available in Asheville, as well as online.”

Miller also said that Western alumni who were in attendance at the chamber’s “Business After Hours” event were glad to see the university reaching out to the Asheville community where they live and work.